MARQUETTE, Mich. – Davenport traveled up north to compete in their first-ever GLIAC Tournament match. The Panthers matched up against the number two seed Northern Michigan University. The Wildcats defended their home court in the match and Davenport was eliminated from the tournament. Davenport found themselves down two sets early and forced a fourth set after clawing out a win in set three.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport 1, Northern Michigan 3
Location: Marquette, Mich.
Records: Davenport 13-15, Northern Michigan 21-7
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-SET SCORES: 15-25, 13-25, 25-23, 19-25
-An eight-point run by the Wildcats in the middle of the set saw Northern Michigan pull away with the set. Following the long Wildcat run Davenport wasn't able to string multiple points together and Northern Michigan went up one set.
-The Wildcats got off to an early lead in the second set, leading 7-1. Davenport cut the lead down to 5-8 before the Wildcats increased the lead to 13-5. After the five-point run Northern Michigan held the Panthers to no multiple point runs. Northern Michigan took a two set lead heading into the third set.
-With their backs against the wall Davenport responded nicely. Davenport was the aggressors in the third set, taking a 9-6 lead after a solo block by Jessica Marvin. Northern Michigan went on a large run to take a 14-9 run. Davenport responded with a six-point run of their own to regain the lead 15-14. Down the stretch the set was tied at 20, 21, 22, and 23 before Davenport won two straight points to take the set. The set winning point was earned after an attack error by Northern Michigan.
-Northern Michigan responded in the fourth set, taking a 10-5 early lead. After a kill by Krissy Dill Davenport cut the lead to only three points, 12-15. This was the closest the Panthers got to Northern Michigan down the stretch. The Wildcats held onto their lead to win the fourth set and the match.

 
STAT LEADERS
Kills-Ashley VanderHorst (14)
Aces-Gabie Shellenbarger/Kasey Stehouwer/Dill (1)
Blocks-Marvin (5)
Assists-Sydney Tracer (35)
Digs-Kasey Stehouwer (17)
 
UP NEXT
The 2017 season comes to a conclusion for the Panthers following the conference tournament loss. Davenport was 13-15 overall on the season and 9-7 in their first season competing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference.

Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Tyler Triemstra